African eclipse: A treat for scientists

Clouds of superheated gases can be seen rising above the Sun's surface

By BBC News Online science editor Dr David Whitehouse

Astronomers are delighted with the view they had of the first total solar eclipse of the new millennium, as it sped across southern Africa.

We expected a fine show and we certainly got it

Sir Patrick Moore

They were treated to an extraordinary sight in cloudless skies. First indications suggest that much scientific data was obtained.

A major object of scientific interest, the Sun's thin outer atmosphere, called the corona, burst into view at the moment of totality.

Of particular interest to astronomers was the shape of the corona. Because this eclipse is taking place at the time when the Sun is at its most active it was expected that the corona would be symmetrical in outline - and so it turned out to be.

'Magnificent eclipse'

Spectacular detail was also visible inside the corona. Streamers and streaks were clearly seen. They are formed by giant magnetic fields channelling the super-hot gas into certain directions. They will be mapped to reveal secrets of how the Sun generates its magnetic fields.

Researchers could also see several bright prominences. These are clouds of superheated gas rising above the Sun's surface, each of them larger than the Earth.

British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore told the BBC: "It was a magnificent eclipse. The prominences struck me as being particularly fine. We expected a fine show and we certainly got it."

Wildlife enthusiasts studying the behaviour of wild animals during the eclipse were also delighted with what they saw.

"The time period was brief," Shirley Cormack, president of Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe, told the BBC. "But we believe that we will have been able to pick up increased vigilance which animals will adopt at the time of the day when there is an increased predator risk."